Bakkafrost Scotland: mapping out a sustainable future
Bakkafrost Scotland’s strategy continues to create shared value and invest in the communities in which employees live and work.
With 400 employees across 45 sites, Bakkafrost is committed to the environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability of rural Scotland.
Its commitment to the high quality and welfare of its Scottish salmon was recognised at the 2024 Aquaculture Awards where Bakkafrost Scotland won the Animal Welfare category and one of its most experienced managers, Thomas Begg, was honoured with the title of Fish Farmer of the Year.
The company’s progressive development programme focuses on investing in its people and facilities, demonstrating its ambition to become the leading and most sustainable salmon producer in Scotland.
Outer Hebrides
Uist is the home of Bakkafrost Scotland’s broodstock programme, integral to the production of its Native Hebridean Salmon – a truly unique breed. The hatchery at Langass in North Uist is undergoing significant investment, which will ensure complete in-house production of Native Hebridean Salmon.
On Scalpay, a shore base upgrade ensures modern, quality work facilities, including offices, drying rooms, canteen, meeting room, and a feed control room which allows the team to monitor and feed all Harris sites efficiently. A new 400-tonne capacity hybrid feed barge at Maaey in Uist will also enable more efficient feeding regimes and improved working facilities.
North West
At Applecross, work is underway to install a 16 mile long cable that will provide 100% renewable energy to the Wester Ross facility. The project will see clean green electricity taken from a hydroelectric scheme to power this state of the art recirculation aquaculture system.
The company has also been granted a licence by SEPA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, for a pyrolysis unit at the site which, as part of the circular economy, converts fish waste into fertiliser.
In Portree on the Isle of Skye, a new hybrid feed barge has recently been delivered. The battery technology reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 60% compared to traditional barges. The vessel also provides flexible workspace to support site operations, with a large working platform and internal storage capacity of 200 tonnes.
South West
The company’s sustainable feed strategy in Lochgilphead is a fundamental part of its approach to fish welfare and supply chain integrity. Two new feed control stations in Lochgilphead have allowed more accurate tracking to highlight trends and insights and minimise waste.
Bakkafrost Scotland’s longstanding relationship with Arran Workboats has also continued, with a new boat for Mull and refurbishment and maintenance of the fleet at their yard on the island – part of the company’s commitment to work with Scottish businesses and use local suppliers wherever possible.
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